An Attitude of Gratitude
In this season of Thanksgiving, I always love to share my wife Kate's philosophy inviting us to grow an "Attitude of Gratitude"!
We frequently get caught up in the fast pace of life and it is helpful to remind ourselves that all we have is "the moment" and if we treat it well it portends a good future.
We have so much to be grateful for, and seasons like Thanksgiving urge us to remember family, love, joy, generosity and THE MOMENT.
In Lifeplan, our young people go through a wonderful "values exercise" in which they choose their top three values. They use these as criteria when making decisions and learn that to be consistent with this, you have to live each moment and be focused in that moment at that time.
I love it when they comment on this part of the program as "ruining things," because they have to think about everything! I always point out that absent their conscious recognition of choices and being aware in making decisions, they are left to simply "winging it." I am always so pleased that THEY REALLY GET IT.
One of our very first Lifeplan kids brought in a quote by a 12th Century Buddhist Monk they felt reflected this work:
"Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character: it becomes your destiny."
Given that it is Thanksgiving, I want to share some secrets that Kate has shared with young people for over 50 years that can serve us all, well:
Be thoughtful
Be honest
Care about others
Be connected to family and community
Save a little each month
Be generous with your positive spirit
Make a difference -- and believe you can make a difference
Learn from the speed bumps
I wish you all a loving season of Thanksgiving!
All the best,
Andy
We frequently get caught up in the fast pace of life and it is helpful to remind ourselves that all we have is "the moment" and if we treat it well it portends a good future.
We have so much to be grateful for, and seasons like Thanksgiving urge us to remember family, love, joy, generosity and THE MOMENT.
In Lifeplan, our young people go through a wonderful "values exercise" in which they choose their top three values. They use these as criteria when making decisions and learn that to be consistent with this, you have to live each moment and be focused in that moment at that time.
I love it when they comment on this part of the program as "ruining things," because they have to think about everything! I always point out that absent their conscious recognition of choices and being aware in making decisions, they are left to simply "winging it." I am always so pleased that THEY REALLY GET IT.
One of our very first Lifeplan kids brought in a quote by a 12th Century Buddhist Monk they felt reflected this work:
"Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character: it becomes your destiny."
Given that it is Thanksgiving, I want to share some secrets that Kate has shared with young people for over 50 years that can serve us all, well:
Be thoughtful
Be honest
Care about others
Be connected to family and community
Save a little each month
Be generous with your positive spirit
Make a difference -- and believe you can make a difference
Learn from the speed bumps
I wish you all a loving season of Thanksgiving!
All the best,
Andy
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